Common Conditions

Diabetes Screening Important for Men with ED

Sep 02, 2015

“For the average man aged 40 to 59 years, the predicted probability of having undiagnosed diabetes increased from 1 in 50 in the absence of erectile dysfunction to 1 in 10 in the presence of erectile dysfunction,” the researchers noted.

How are diabetes and ED connected? There are a few ways.

High blood sugar can cause nerve damage called neuropathy. When a man is sexually aroused, his brain transmits messages through a network of nerves. These signals reach the penis and trigger the erection. But if there is nerve damage, the messages can’t travel properly, leading to erectile dysfunction.

Diabetes can also cause damage to blood vessels throughout the body, including the penis. This impairs blood flow, which is critical for a firm erection.